Maryssa Vasquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to advancing trauma-informed, equity-focused behavioral health. She serves as the sole social worker in Family Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where she provides integrated behavioral health care, supports clinical education for medical students, and collaborates closely with the resident clinic to improve access to resources needed by patients. Maryssa led the design of a suicide prevention protocol aimed at improving early identification and response for at-risk patients and currently serves as the lead for her department’s participation in a national LGBTQ+ suicide prevention study.

With over a decade of experience in clinical care, research, and nonprofit work, Maryssa brings a thoughtful, compassionate approach to her work with patients and healthcare teams. She has a particular interest in psychosocial adversity, stress physiology, and accessible, relationship-centered care.

Her advocacy has been recognized with the Andrew Marks Advocacy Award from the University of Texas at Austin, honoring her leadership in securing critical funding and policy support for youth in foster care. She also received the Golden Key Award from Austin Street Center for her dedicated response to the unique challenges faced by unhoused communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and was featured in the Fort Worth Report for her efforts to improve food access in medically vulnerable populations.

She continues to focus on creating meaningful change through patient-centered care and community collaboration.